Written by Brazilian author Paulo Coelho in two weeks in 1987, O Alquimista was first published in 1988 in its original Portuguese disguised as a beautiful story about the adventures of a young boy bewildered by allegory and powerful words like Personal Legends, the soul of the Universe and Inner Voice.
HarperTorch then published an English translation in 1993 allowing it to become a best-seller and the stepping stone to being translated in more than 56 languages. The
Alchemist covers everyday obstacles - losing hope, self-doubt, procrastination, settling, dreams, personal development, love – and talks about them without judgement or ridicule, just a plan on how to overcome them and why it is so important to challenge these states of mind and attitude.
Set in Southern Spain and Northern Africa, we are introduced to Santiago, the main character, a young and humble Spanish shepherd fulfilling his desire to travel the country, when on a regular night a recurring dream introduces him to new adventures, new worlds and new ways of thinking. It is at this point where the enigmatic dream of great treasures and foreign lands turns into a goal and the start of a new chapter in the character’s life.
He is pushed from the comfort of his tranquil life by a mystical king and his own curiosity to a land of strange customs and environment. His destiny is then marked and the obstacles encountered on the way all result in teachings and signs. He is faced with dilemmas of self-believe, human error, love, traitors, unfulfilled lives and hopelessness to name a few.
We accompany Santiago on the journey of self-growth, seen how he over comes challenges and how despair does not become him. This is what makes the character likeable and rooted by the reader, we all understand failure but we don’t all practice shaking it off and carrying on. Coelho keeps the protagonist moving, not glorifying self-pity or victimising Santiago, even though he could have easily gone that path. Instead Santiago gains strength over time and riches in more than just currency.
This is not unrealistic or super natural, Santiago did not give up on his dream because he possessed magical powers but rather because for every downfall he was met with a reminder of how strong he could be if he trusted himself, believed in his dream and permitted the Universe to guide him. These are words all humans have access to and can apply to their everyday life. This is what makes The Alchemist a great book for everyone to read regardless of ambition or stage in their lives.
Chapters of mythical or difficult situations are metaphors and should not be passed off as such for they are the most important. For example, you may never be in a desert but isn’t a big city full of people you have no connections with or desire to start any sort of relationship with the same as being in a desert? You’re without connections and alone (this should not misinterpreted as lonely).
Coelho touches on religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam but never forces them on the reader; they are part of the characters met and their traditions introduced as the foundation of their lives but not their sole being for spiritually comes in a spectrum of forms.
The principal message of this book is: “When you want something, the Universe makes way for your desires to become a reality”.
The Alchemist notes that lessons are learned along the way since teachings can been ignored or forgotten – bringing to view that life itself should be the pleasure of personal development. Fighting for one’s dreams and listening to one’s inner voice is what humans were born to do. Since dreams come from a pure place and whoever carries them out has listened to their heart good intentions are the drive not back stabbing, lying or cheating.
The concept is not new as seen in the works of Rumi, but the development of the story and the inspiration of the words are specific to the writer. I recommend reading the book twice; once to savour the story and a second time to enjoy and capture the wonderful message.
If you take one thing from this book is what Coelho candidly says, “Some forces seem bad, but in reality they are teaching you how to accomplish your Personal Legends.
They are preparing your spirit and strength, because a great truth exists in this world; whoever you are and whatever you do, when you desire something very strongly, it’s because this desire was born in the soul of the Universe. It’s your mission in this World”.
For here is nothing like reading a book that completely captures you and changes your world and way of thinking with the truth.
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